e life of Hilda Polacheck offered extraordinary insight into the roles of women during the late 19th and early 20th century. This period in time is better understood as a time of ongoing constraints for women, despite the continued success that Hilda had as an immigrant and more importantly a woman. Women faced limitations every day that were especially prominent through their lack of rights, the treatment they were subjected to in the workplace, and lastly through the traditional roles they were expected to follow. During the late 1800’s to early 1900’s Hilda Polacheck’s life revealed an abundance of insightful information pertaining to the roles of women through their civil participation, acceptance and involvement towards bettering communities of all ethnicities and nationalities, and lastly through their traditional motherly roles and more specifically the extreme sacrifices that mothers had to make for their families.

The roles women had in regards to civil participation was up and coming during Hilda Polachecks life. Prior to being well versed in the ways of American life, Hilda was under the impression that men had more power than women, and therefore should be treated better. In fact she had stated that, “my father had come to America, I kept saying to myself, because here in this wonderful country a man was free to say what he wanted, even if he was wrong.”. This idea as stated by the father she loved and trusted showed how America felt about women. Women were not supposed to speak out. Men could speak out, and they always had the benefit of the doubt. They were held with high regard in areas of politics and were given a voice. Although what her father had told her seemed great, she was young and did not realize that it was unjust that women would not have the same treatment. Hilda Polacheck, after experiencing America for herself, quickly changed her ways and believed fighting for women’s rights independently and collectively was what she wanted to stand for. A role model of hers, Jane Addams, had shown the capability women had in participating in the community. One incident where Jane Addams had showed the power women had in addressing public concerns was when she had called the attention of the health department to the unsanitary conditions present in Chicago. The department claimed it was under control, but with the backing of some businessmen she put in a bid to collect garbage. In some time she was appointed garbage inspector of the ward. Jane Addams, a woman, was given a role in the community after addressing pressing concerns. She took action where it was needed, and started to try and fix the community in which she lived. Another time